Myer has launched a beta version of its new marketplace platform and is now seeking expressions of interest for sellers ahead of a prospective full launch.
The new offer, first covered by Inside Retail earlier this month, has already signed on experience retailer Red Balloon, cycling brand Lekker, Fitbit and is offering a range of Myer branded products tagged as “Myer Online”.
The initial range is concentrated on health and beauty, kitchen and dining, wearable tech, camping and hiking, cycling, nursery and backpacks and casual luggage.
There are currently no signs of Myer’s broader apparel offer on the new platform.
In a notice to potential sellers, Myer said interested partners will be helped through pricing and integration options after registering interest.
There will be a monthly membership fee plus a commission on all sales, but Myer will return any marketplace purchase refunded to its stores for free to partners.
The department store also promises an “extensive marketing support campaign”.
A full launch date has yet to be provided by the department store, but when speaking to Inside Retail about the marketplace ahead of its announcement earlier this month, chief digital and data officer Mark Cripsey said Myer will press go when it is satisfied with the breadth of the offer.
The website itself, which is a standalone sub-domain of Myer’s broader e-commerce offer, bears a strong similarity to partner Marketplacer’s other platforms such as bikeexchange.com.au.
Marketplacer CEO Jason Wyatt said he believes Myer’s marketplace will “raise the bar” in Australia when it comes to the fast-growing retail segment.
“We anticipate that the launch of the Myer Market will really raise the bar in Australia when it comes to providing a broad and curated product and service range and a rewarding shopping experience,” Wyatt said.
BabyBjorn managing director Martin Hannan, who is one of the first to sign up to the platform, said the process so far has been straightforward.
“It has been a pleasure working with the Myer Market staff. They have created a clever, seamless and straightforward way to participate on this new platform. Good support made it easy for our team to get up and running quickly,” he said in a statement provided by Myer.
Announced at its strategy day earlier this month, marketplace has been touted as one of the key initiatives driving Myer’s digital agenda as it looks to scale down its physical footprint and leverage its fast-growing digital presence.
The struggling business remains under pressure from its largest shareholder, Premier Investments, over the operation of the business – with an extraordinary general meeting possible in coming months following a period of barb trading with Premier chairman Solomon Lew.
